getting an 'equipment short cycle' error on the screen. my heat keeps turning on and off really fast.

— asked by Casey

Quick answer: The thermostat has detected a heating or cooling cycle shorter than the minimum allowed time, which is 5 minutes by default. This protects your equipment.

Diagnosis

The thermostat has detected a heating or cooling cycle shorter than the minimum allowed time, which is 5 minutes by default. This protects your equipment.

How to Fix It

Check your air filter. A severely clogged filter is the most common cause. Replace it if dirty. Next, verify airflow: ensure all supply and return vents are open and unobstructed.

If That Didn't Work

The issue may be a faulty flame sensor (for gas heat) or a dirty outdoor unit (for AC/heat pump). For gas furnaces, cleaning the flame sensor with fine steel wool often resolves short cycling.

Heads Up

You can adjust the minimum cycle time in Menu > Installation > Thresholds > Minimum Cycle Time, but do not set it below 5 minutes. Adjusting this does not fix the underlying equipment problem.

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